How to Paint a Ceramic Toilet Bowl

Michael DavidsonUpdated February 21, 2017

You can paint nearly any object for decorative purposes, including ceramic toilet bowls. Some people buy toilets in a specific colour to match their bathroom colour scheme, but you don't have to be stuck with the colour forever after you've installed the toilet. Ceramic is a paintable material that can retain the paint job for years if you make proper preparations. Clean the toilet thoroughly first and use the right kind of paint to get the best looking and longest lasting results.

Scrub the toilet with warm water, detergent and a scrubbing sponge to get it clean prior to painting.

Spray the toilet with white vinegar from a spray bottle to disinfect it and remove germs. White vinegar is a very effective natural cleaning agent and it kills a large percentage of germs, bacteria and mould spores on contact.

Apply a high-gloss oil paint to the toilet ceramic once it dries after cleaning. Avoid painting the inside of the toilet bowl or the top edge since they are wet too often for the paint to hold for any length of time. Use a brush to apply paint to the toilet so you can get paint in the nooks and crannies that a sprayer might not reach. The oil paint will bond to the toilet's ceramic better than other varieties and should last longer.

Allow the paint to dry and then apply a second coat. Give the toilet at least 24 hours of drying time before using it to prevent water splatter from damaging the paint as it hardens.

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About the Author

Michael Davidson started writing screenplays in 2003 and has had a screenplay professionally produced. He has also studied martial arts since 1990 and has worked as a licensed security specialist. Davidson has written articles for various websites. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in advertising.